Eliminating Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Elections

Floor Speech

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Ms. MOORE. Mr. Chairman, the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission created an uninhibited voice for special interest spending in our elections and unlimited corporate speech in our public policy debate.

Special interests were heard loud and clear this past election cycle to the tune of $281.6 million, almost five times greater than the previous midterm election of 2006. By eliminating the Presidential Election Campaign Fund where everyday Americans can have their voices heard, special interest groups will be able to shout from the top of the mountain and dominate Presidential elections even more.

Currently, between 7 and 8 percent of Americans choose to direct $3 of their tax liability to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. My amendment is simple. Instead of directing that amount, that $3 of their tax liability by checking that box, citizens would be able to check that box and voluntarily make a donation in the same amount to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund.

What's important here is not whether a President uses the fund or doesn't use the fund. What's important is to preserve the opportunity for the average American to have that speech and the opportunity to say loud and clear that they support clean, good, and fair elections.

My amendment, instead of eliminating the entire program, lets Americans make a donation out of their own pockets. Good government groups are against the underlying bill, such as the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Democracy 21, and Public Citizen. Rather than eliminating the public financing system, we should be working together in a bipartisan manner to reform it and improve it.

Now, I understand that a point of order is being reserved against my amendment because CBO has scored my amendment as saving only $400 million over 10 years, while the underlying bill saves $600 million. So I think given that my amendment does contribute to deficit reduction, we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Understanding, Mr. Chairman, that a point of order has been reserved, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

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